Staff Posting Details
Appointment: Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) position.
Work Location: This position is based in Tacoma, WA, and is hybrid eligible (minimum of 4 days on-site) after a successful evaluation period.
Please note that we generally do not sponsor applicants for work visas for staff positions. Therefore, we generally require applicants for staff positions to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Position Summary:
The University Relations Administrative Assistant provides accurate, detailed, and thorough administrative support to the University Relations division, with a primary focus on supporting the day-to-day administrative functions of the Vice President for University Relations Office and assisting the Assistant to the Vice President for University Relations with division-wide administrative coordination. The position also provides administrative support to the three Associate Vice Presidents within the University Relations division (Constituent Relations, Marketing & Communications, and University Relations).
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:
- Vice President for University Relations Office and Division-Wide Support - (50%)
- Support the day-to-day administrative operations of the University Relations division and Vice President Office, working closely with the Assistant to the Vice President for University Relations to coordinate division-wide administrative functions and provide support as needed.
- Anticipate the needs of the University Relations team members and work collaboratively with division administrative support professionals to coordinate information, resources, and appropriate administrative support across the division.
- Support the planning, coordination, and execution of University Relations events and activities, such as team retreats, holiday celebrations, divisional meetings, and other special events. Coordinate logistics, including scheduling, facilities, catering, communications, materials, invitations and RSVPs, and event-day support.
- Support daily office functions and perform routine administrative tasks, including handling incoming and outgoing print and electronic mail, telephone calls, and other communication with internal and external constituents.
- Prepare and distribute upon request print and digital documents, forms, reports, and/or correspondence. Assist with website editing as needed.
- Manage and track budgets as identified by department lead; includes processing invoices, disbursement requests, and purchase card statements, preparing monthly budget reports, approving certain operating expenses, and preparing budget variance reports.
- Provide day-to-day office management support, including inventory, coordination, and ordering of office supplies and equipment.
- Provide administrative support coverage on occasion in the Office of the University Relations Vice President.
- Associate Vice President Administrative Support - (40%)
- Manage scheduling, provide meeting support, and help maintain calendars for the Associate Vice President for Constituent Relations, the Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications, and the Associate Vice President for University Relations.
- Other Administrative Support - (10%)
- Participate in and provide staffing assistance as requested at flagship University Relations events, including Homecoming and Family Weekend, Summer Reunion Weekend, and other related events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
Budget Responsibilities
No direct budget responsibilities. Reconciles budget, prepares disbursement requests, and processes invoices and purchase card statements.
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or G.E.D
- Requires 2-3 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Demonstrated customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a broad range of internal and external constituents including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and friends of the university.
- Strong writing, proofreading, and organizational skills and abilities; demonstrated attentiveness to detail.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team, take initiative, solve problems, handle confidential information, and navigate sensitive situations.
- Ability to work in a dynamic and often fast-paced work environment, managing various tasks and competing priorities simultaneously.
- Adept knowledge of computers and computer software programs such Microsoft Office and Google Suites as well as experience with constituent relations management and/or database reporting software is a plus.
- The ability to gain understanding of operations, processes, and procedures as well as develop and implement systems that support the administrative functions within the University Relations division and in collaboration with other campus departments.
- Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community.
Compensation and Benefits:
Career Framework Information:
Job Family: Administrative Support
Level: S3
Pay Grade: 4
The anticipated range for this position is $23.55 to $25.00 per hour. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.
Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
- Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
- Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
- Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)
Please note:
- Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
- Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
- Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.
This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2026 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf
For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources
Application Deadline:
Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Letter of Interest
- 3 Professional References (At least 2 supervisors)
Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.
All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.
University Diversity Statement
We Acknowledge:
- The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community.
- The intrinsic worth of all who work and study here.
- The investigation and reflection enhance that education upon multiple perspectives.
We Aspire:
- To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community.
- To increase the diversity of all parts of our university community through a commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts.
- To foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
We Act:
- To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity.
- To ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here.
- To prepare citizen-leaders effectively for a pluralistic world.
Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity
The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.
How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment
About Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.
As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA